MADISON, WI – Today the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, chaired by Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point), held a public hearing regarding the confirmation of Governor Evers’ nominee Andrea Palm as Secretary of the Department of Health Services (DHS).

As Secretary-designee, Ms. Palm has already hired Nicole Safar as Assistant Deputy Secretary of DHS. Ms. Safar is no stranger to state government as she has been lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin for over a decade.

Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling expressed concern about the direction DHS is going under the Evers administration. “DHS’s job according to its website is ‘protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin.’ Having Ms. Safar in a key leadership role in this agency indicates to me that DHS is going to be much more about special interests and political agendas than about the needs of Wisconsin citizens. Frankly, I share Senator Duey Stroebel’s concern as expressed in the press release he issued today about Ms. Palm and Ms. Safar looking for ways to work around laws in order to direct taxpayer funds to abortion groups such as Planned Parenthood.”

“This move, along with Governor Evers appointing Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, to his Health Advisory Board, bodes ominously for unborn children and their mothers. Abortion isn’t health care—for women or their unborn babies. It certainly doesn’t qualify as ‘protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin.’ As Senator Stroebel pointed out, Wisconsin and its citizens deserve better when it comes to the leadership at DHS.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty in Wisconsin.

One Wisconsin Now Owes Judge Hagedorn Public Apology for Religious BiasImposing religious test as qualification for public service violates U.S. Constitution

MADISON, WI – In an attempt to discredit Brian Hagedorn, candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, One Wisconsin Now yesterday declared Hagedorn “unfit to hold public office” because he co-founded a Christian school that seeks to follow orthodox Christian beliefs and standards.

“One Wisconsin Now owes Judge Hagedorn an apology for smearing his character and discriminating against him based on his religion,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action. “The U.S. Constitution simply doesn’t allow a religious litmus test for public office-holders and blacklisting candidates for public office because of their religious beliefs and associations is profoundly intolerant.

“Imposing a litmus test on individuals running for public office based on their faith is not only unconstitutional, it’s un-American. One Wisconsin Now appears to have taken a page from the playbook of those who have bullied and badgered other judicial candidates in recent months for their religious beliefs, and, most recently, Second Lady Karen Pence for teaching at a Christian school that similarly states its religious beliefs and establishes codes of conduct for employees and students. One Wisconsin Now certainly has a right to hold its own beliefs, but smearing a candidate with different beliefs is the very essence of intolerance. Such attempts should concern all Wisconsinites.”

One Wisconsin Now, bolstered by other activists, asserts that because the Christian school Hagedorn helped to found, and now serves as a board member, holds to an orthodox Christian teaching regarding marriage, Hagedorn is incapable of “fairly and impartially” judging cases.

“A judge’s job is to interpret the law as written, not to legislate or impose personal policy preferences from the bench. Judge Hagedorn should be vetted and reviewed based on his temperament and character as a judge—not on his personal religious beliefs, practices, or associations. For millennia, people of all the Abrahamic faiths and no faith at all have held the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Holding that belief, or being associated with institutions that hold that belief, doesn’t mean a judge can’t fairly and impartially interpret and apply the law,” Appling continued. “These tired tactics to discredit judicial candidates because of their faith’s beliefs have failed before, and they will fail again.”

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution clearly states that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty in Wisconsin.

WFA PAC director Julaine Appling commented, “We are proud to have endorsed these candidates and congratulate them on their victories and their hard-fought campaigns. We are confident each of them is committed to a pro-family, pro-life and pro-religious freedom Wisconsin and America. To that end, we wish them all the very best as they regroup and begin the final leg of their campaigns leading to the November 6 election. We urge conservative Wisconsin citizens to give these candidates not just their vote in the general election, but their time, energy and financial support over the next twelve weeks. Wisconsin and the entire country will be freer, stronger and more prosperous if they win again in November.

“In addition, we want to thank all of the candidates our PAC endorsed for being willing to step off the sidelines and into the game by running for elected office. It’s not easy to do that. Running for office is costly in many ways. We deeply appreciate the good people who did not prevail but were willing to bear those considerable costs on behalf of their beliefs and values, as well as for the good of those they would represent. That’s what public service should be about in this great country.”

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC and Wisconsin Family Action Federal PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

Madison, WI – Today Wisconsin Family Action PAC released an additional round of endorsements for the 2018 fall elections. Additional endorsements will be added in the coming weeks.

State Senate

State Assembly

Rep. Kathy Bernier – SD 23

Joe Sanfelippo – AD 15 (inc.)

Ty Bodden – AD 59

“inc.” = incumbent

Wisconsin Family Action PAC’s endorsement means the candidate has either shown a consistent and solid pro-family, pro-life, pro-religious freedom track record as an office holder or shows great promise of building such a track record if elected.

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

Is your candidate truly a reflection of your convictions and vision for America and Wisconsin? iVoterGuide will be your biggest asset and tool that will guide you through the next election, answering every question that is important to you.

Wisconsin’s 2018 Fall Partisan Primary election is Tuesday, August 14—that’s only weeks away! Your guide covers contested races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House districts, state Senate and Assembly districts and the critical gubernatorial race for Wisconsin’s Governor.

Compare candidates’ answers on over 20 survey questions. Look at who has endorsed them. You can see facts on the issues that are the most important to you, like religious liberty, life, immigration, defense, and more.

May we ask a favor? Would you take a moment to share this email with friends, family and neighbors so that they, too, may have this vital information before election day on August 14? Better yet, download, print and share!

JUST IN! Wisconsin Family Action PAC (Political Action Committee) has just released the first round of endorsements for the Fall 2018 Partisan Primary Election on August 14! CLICK HERE to view the endorsements.

Not sure where to vote or who is on your ballot? Click HERE and type in your home address to find out the answers to these questions so you can vote your values! We’ve also created a Voter Q&A resource guide for all of your questions regarding Election Day. Access your Voter Q&A HERE.

REMEMBER to bring a valid form of photo identification. Click HERE to learn what forms of ID are acceptable. If you haven’t already registered to vote, you may also register on the day of the election at the polls.

Wisconsin Family Action also stands ready to help you if you have any questions. We can be reached at 866-849-2536 (toll free) or 608-268-5074 (Madison).

MADISON—Monday evening President Trump announced that Judge Brett Kavanaugh is his nominee to the US Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of retiring Justice Kennedy. Trump has said regarding this process that his “greatest responsibility is to select a Justice who will faithfully interpret the Constitution as written,” noting that “[j]udges are not supposed to re-write the law, re-invent the Constitution, or substitute their own opinions for the will of the people expressed through their laws.” President Trump believes Judge Kavanaugh, meets those requirements.

“The American people care deeply about strong originalists on the Supreme Court, as evidenced by the 2016 presidential election,” said Julaine Appling, Wisconsin Family Action president. “We appreciate President Trump’s continued transparency and principled process for choosing the next Supreme Court nominee and are hopeful that Judge Kavanaugh will uphold the First Amendment and the original public meaning of the Constitution.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

MADISON— Late yesterday the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that the lawsuit brought against Wisconsin’s long-standing Unborn Child Protection Act is moot because the plaintiff moved out of state, making her case null and void.

Wisconsin’s Unborn Child Protection Act became law in 1997 and allows certain state officials and law enforcement agents to help pregnant women who are struggling with substance abuse, which of course helps both the mother and her unborn baby.

“As Wisconsin, like so many other states, faces this opiod crisis and as the number of babies born with drug dependencies increases, to be able to enforce our Unborn Child Protection Act is more important than ever. We are glad for the outcome of this legal challenge and are grateful for Attorney General Brad Schimel’s aggressive defense of this law throughout the legal proceedings. Making sure women and their unborn babies get the help they need is especially critical when dealing with addiction,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action.

Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

Statewide group issues sole endorsement in First Senate District special election

Madison, WI – Wisconsin Family Action PAC (WFA PAC) has endorsed State Representative André Jacque (R-De Pere) for the 1st Senate District in the May 15th Special Election Primary.

Following is a statement from WFA PAC director, Julaine Appling:

“It’s no secret that Rep. Jacque is one of Wisconsin’s most significant pro-life, pro-family champions. That’s why Wisconsin Family Action Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed only André Jacque in this special election.

“André Jacque has great passion for his pro-life work. During his time in the Assembly, he has consistently championed the rights of the unborn, as well as stood up for the freedom for all Wisconsin citizens, especially for Wisconsin’s best resource, her families. We are confident that André Jacque as a senator will, in both policy and practice, continue to work to ensure that our families become or remain independent of government and will strengthen and preserve the core values of marriage, family, life and liberty.

“We are proud to endorse André and thank him for running for the 1st Senate District seat. We encourage people in the First Senate District to vote for him in the May 15th Special Election Primary.”

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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.

MADISON— On March 29, 2018, Governor Scott Walker called for a special elections to fill Senator Frank Lasee’s seat (SD 1) after Lasee resigned to take a position in Walker’s administration.

Candidates must be registered by April 17, 2018. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the only two candidates currently registered are Republicans André Jacque and Alex Renard.

From April 3rd to April 5th, Wisconsin Family Action conducted a poll of 770 voters in the May 15th Republican Primary for State Senate District 1. Among those who say they are very likely to vote in the next election, State Rep. André Jacque leads 81% to 19% over businessman Alex Renard. Counting undecideds, Jacque is the choice of 32%, compared to 7% for Renard, with 61% undecided. Even with the large number of undecideds, Renard would have to win over 70% of all undecideds, whereas Jacque would need just 30% of undecideds to break his way.

Among all GOP voters that have decided on a candidate in the May 15th special Republican primary, State Rep. André Jacque leads businessman Alex Renard 80% to 20%. Counting undecideds, Jacque has 27% of the vote, to 7% for Renard, with 67% undecided. Even with the large number of undecideds, Renard would have to win 65.4% of all undecideds, whereas Jacque would need just 34.9% of undecideds to break his way.

Looking ahead to the August Primary for US Senate, Republican voters in the 1st Senate District are starting to pick sides. Kevin Nicholson is in the lead among very likely voters with 29%, followed by Eric Hovde with 26%, followed by Leah Vukmir with 6%. 39% of voters are undecided.

Among all Republican voters, Eric Hovde takes the lead over Nicholson. Eric Hovde, who in 2012 won 5 of the 6 counties in the 1st Senate District with approximately 38% of the vote, has a greater pull with those less likely to vote, bringing him to 29.9%. Kevin Nicholson is in second place with 24%, followed by Leah Vukmir with 5%. 41% of all Republican voters in this senate district are still undecided in the US Senate race.

The poll had a 4% margin of error at a 95% confidence rate.

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide, not-for-profit organization actively strengthening,
preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

Last week, Rep. Tyler Vorpagel (R-Plymouth) circulated a co-sponsorship memo for LRB 2122, a bill proposing to “legalize” and “regulate” Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games. The bill would legalize online gambling and represents the largest expansion of gambling in Wisconsin’s history.

In response, Wisconsin Family Action and Citizens Against Expanded Gambling have launched a statewide campaign to oppose this massive expansion of gambling. Combined, these two groups represent over 22,000 Wisconsin citizens who oppose any expansion of gambling. These citizens are being encouraged to contact their legislators and hold them accountable.

Additionally, a digital awareness campaign, statewide robo calls to citizens who oppose online gambling, a statewide tele-townhall briefing and legislative office visits are underway. “We’ve jointly held statewide information forums on this issue to educate citizens about the dangers of expanded gambling with an emphasis on legalizing DFS. To date, we’ve held 14 events with over 550 attending. We have 8 more scheduled for this fall. When the people find out the truth about this issue, they are appalled and committed to doing what they can to stop it,” says Lorri Pickens, Executive Director of Citizens Against Expanded Gambling.

The proposed “Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) bill” allows the state to force internet gambling into nearly every home, every dorm room and onto every smart phone in the state, a far greater expansion of commercialized gambling than constituents, legislators and state media have been led to believe.

“The point of this DFS bill is to give the appearance of regulation and create the impression this is being done on behalf of consumers. However, no consumer protection groups are advocating for DFS. Only the industry itself is advocating for ‘legalizing’ and ‘regulating’—a situation which should give any lawmaker pause,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action. “What industry has ever sought to regulate itself?”

Gambling expansion in Wisconsin is currently occurring in multiple ways:

The Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature approved $143 million in expansion for four of the tribe’s six gaming facilities.

The proposed 2017-2018 Wisconsin State Budget calls for a $1 million increase in lottery advertising to increase the number of tickets sold annually.

Proposed off-reservation casinos in Beloit and Shullsburg are pending approval from the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

As is well documented, gambling is addictive; and opening up online gambling, such as DFS, will result in more problem gamblers, more gambler indebtedness, and more broken families. Online gambling does not put money back into the economy; but rather makes it more difficult for problem gamblers in particular to be productive, contributing citizens, helping to enrich the local and state economy.

MADISON, WI – “This is a huge win for free speech in Wisconsin,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action. “As our good friends at Alliance Defending Freedom keep reminding everyone, no one should be threated with punishment for having views that the government doesn’t favor.”

Earlier this year Amy Lawson, a professional photographer and blogger who works out of her Madison home, filed what is known as a “pre-enforcement challenge” lawsuit against the City of Madison and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, alleging that the city’s public accommodations ordinance and the state’s public accommodations law prohibit her from conducting her business, Amy Lynn Photography Studio, according to the dictates of her conscience and beliefs. Lawson argued the ordinance and law even force her to use her creative expression in support of activities she doesn’t agree with, including same-sex marriage and abortion.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard Neiss determined in yesterday’s court hearing in the case Amy Lynn Photography Studio v. City of Madison that he would resolve the matter by issuing an order that declares Amy Lawson and her home-based business are not subject to the city’s public accommodations ordinance or the state’s public accomodations law. Both the state and the city agreed to this resolution.

Appling commented, “What this decision means is that creative professionals in Wisconsin and in Madison, those who like Amy don’t have storefronts, have the freedom to determine what ideas they will promote using their artistic talents. In other words, the City of Madison and the State of Wisconsin can’t punish these professionals for exercising their freedom of speech artistically, even if the city or state disagrees with what they are saying.”

MADISON, WI – “Finally, a bill that addresses the unconstitutional advertising of the state lottery and saves taxpayers money,” says Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action.

Earlier this week State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Assembly Representative Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) announced they have authored a bill that will cap the amount of spending for “informational advertising” for the Wisconsin lottery at $5 million annually. Currently, the cap is $7.5 million. Governor Walker has proposed an additional $6 million be added to the lottery’s “informational advertising” budget in an effort to increase lottery ticket sales. Research shows that more advertising does not directly increase ticket sales.

In 1986, Wisconsin voters approved the lottery in a statewide referendum which included the provision that no “promotional” advertising of the lottery could be done using public funds or monies created through the lottery operation. The lottery commission has deemed their advertising as “product information.” They believe as long as the odds are given in an advertisement, then it isn’t advertising but rather “product information.”

The bill also requires that the information regarding odds be readily decipherable by the average viewer or listener by requiring that a human voice speak the information at a normal rate of speed.

Appling commented, “Thanks to Senator Risser and Representative Hutton at least with this bill the so-called ‘product information’ will be more than a blur on a tv or a voice speaking four times faster than normal. It’s time we stop being disingenuous on this ‘product information’ for the lottery. Let the good citizens of this state know that their odds of winning are ridiculously low.”

The lottery was originally approved with the idea of giving property owners a property tax credit. Over the last 10 years, the average lottery-generated property tax credit has been $93.[1]

“Capping the questionable advertising expenditures will make more funds available to property tax owners rather than hope that additional ‘product information’ results in additional ticket sales,” said Appling. “That’s a responsible position for the government.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

The Supreme Court ruled decisively Monday that religious institutions should be eligible to receive public funds for purely secular purposes.

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Even though the state’s denial of funds likely would lead only to “a few extra scraped knees,” Roberts said, “the exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benenfit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church, is odious to our Constitution all the same, and cannot stand.”

“This decision is encouraging,” responds WFA president Julaine Appling, ” For a change we have an opinion on this type of issue that is faithful to the First Amendment and not hostile to religion. Other cases with religious freedom implications will be on the court’s docket next session, including a baker in Colorado who, based on his religious beliefs, won’t do cakes for same-sex weddings.”

MADISON, WI – Yesterday, the state legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) approved on a party-line vote a budget motion that puts an end to the state’s statewide same-sex-only domestic partnership registry.

This registry became law as a part of Democrat Governor Jim Doyle’s 2009-2011 budget and was an effort to undermine Wisconsin’s Marriage Protection Amendment passed in 2006 by more than 59% of the voters. The registry in essential ways mimics marriage and gives numerous benefis to unmarried same-sex couples as if they are married.

The budget proposal would go into effect six months after the bill is enacted and grandfathers in existing domestic partnerships.

Two years ago this month, the United States Supreme Court decided in Obergefall v. Hodges that Wisconsin’s voters have no right to determine what marriage will be in this state and foisted marriage for same-sex couples on the entire country.

Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, said, “Since this registry was enacted, we have been working to repeal it. Not only does it undermine marriage, but it promotes discriminatory co-habitation. Now that the US Supreme Court has waved its magic wand and overridden the will of the people on marriage, there is no reason for this registry. Same-sex couples can get government-offered benefits of marriage by marrying. The state is rightly dismantling this unfair and detrimental registry.”

During the JFC discussion yesterday, Democrat Representative Katrina Shankland (Stevens Point) argued that rather than do away with the registry that it should be expanded to include heterosexual couples. The majority of JFC members rightly determined promoting marriage was a better approach than encouraging government-sponsored co-habitation.

“We are grateful for Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt initiating this proposal and for Representatives John Nygren and Dale Kooyenga for making the official motion as JFC members. The twelve members of JFC who supported the motion got it exactly right. It’s time for this discriminatory registry to go and to stop pretending this registry is good or fair. It came in through the budget; it needs to be rescinded the same way,” noted Appling.

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

MADISON, WI – The following is a statement from Wisconsin Family Action President Julaine Appling on President Trump’s religious freedom Executive Order, signed earlier today.

“Religious freedom and rights of conscience have been severely undermined in America in recent years. The Executive Order signed today by President Donald Trump represents a good first step towards restoring needed protection for those precious rights and the beginning of fulfillment of his campaign promises to protect the religious freedoms of Americans. But it is only a step.

“The previous administration created a climate of hostility towards religion and the right of Americans to live out their faith freely. Across the country employers, faith-based schools and charities have been forced to choose between their faith and continuing to operate for the good of our economy and society.

“While we welcome the signing of today’s Executive Order, on behalf of the thousands of citizens our organization represents and in concert with the 39 state family policy councils with whom we are in alliance, we call on President Trump and his administration to work towards completely fulfilling his pledge to protect religious freedom. As President Trump said in the Rose Garden this morning, ‘For too long the Federal government has used the power of the state as a weapon against people of faith, bullying and even punishing Americans for following their religious beliefs.’

“Today’s Executive Order represents a start towards reversing this unwarranted government discrimination. Wisconsin Family Action will continue to work for a Wisconsin and an America where religious freedom flourishes and families thrive.”

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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious liberty in Wisconsin.

A bill is being introduced in the Wisconsin legislature that would remove entirely the waiting period after a divorce before a remarriage. Currently the law requires six months after a divorce is finalized before a person can remarry. Wisconsin is one of 6 states with a waiting period. Two other states also require six months before remarrying. Democrat Sondy Pope is authoring the proposal, and a number of Republicans have been sympathetic to the idea. Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Council, says, Wisconsin should not change this law, regardless of what other states have done or are doing.

“Wisconsin needs to buck the trend. We need to keep the remarriage waiting period. We already have the worst combination of divorce law in the country: no fault, no contest. Removing the waiting period would further undermine marriage. Research shows remarriages are much more likely to end in divorce than first marriages. Experts tell us the longer the waiting period the better.”

This month State Senator Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) and State Representative Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) sent a memo to their legislative colleagues inviting them to join them as co-sponsors of the bill package known as the Heal Without Harm Initiative. This initiative is comprised of two bills.

One bill bans the trade and use of the body parts of aborted babies and requires that they be given an appropriate final disposition.

The second bill requires” facilities where a woman could experience a tragic miscarriage or stillbirth to inform women that they can voluntarily donate their child for research. The bill also provides that facilities where a woman miscarries or delivers a stillborn baby arrange for the proper disposition of the baby.

The bills are strongly supported by the Heal Without Harm Coalition, comprised of the state’s main pro-life groups: Wisconsin Family Action, Wisconsin Right to Life, Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Catholic Conference.

“Many pro-life Wisconsin citizens were very upset that a similar bill did not pass last session. These bills are even better than that bill. The package is all about recognizing the dignity and humanity of aborted, stillborn or miscarried babies,” said WFA president Julaine Appling..

For more details on the Heal Without Harm Initiative and this issue in general, click “CONTINUE READING” below.

CLICK HERE to find our your state senator and state representative are and their phone number. Simply type your street address in the space under “Find My Legislators” and hit “enter.”

A few weeks ago 2 Republicans, Sen. Alberta Darling (River Hills) and Rep. Cindi Duchow (Waukesha) introduced a bill that they claim stops the sale and use of the body parts of aborted babies. None of the state’s pro-life groups were consulted on the bill. Heal Without Harm Coalition analyzed the bill and found it pretty severely lacking. Parts of the bill are confusing, and it also has significant exceptions that would basically allow the UW to continue doing research using the body parts and tissue of aborted babies. All four main pro-life groups have registered as opposing this bill.

National Geographic is running an ad on Facebook featuring the caption, “Stand behind the facts. Stand with science. Stand for the planet,” and then below that, “Subscribe to National Geographic for just $12.”

It’s good advertising. But how will subscribing to this magazine help facts, science, or the planet in light of their January cover? If you recall, it featured a young boy dressed in pink leopard print with long, dyed hair and the caption, “The best thing about being a girl is that I don’t have to pretend to be a boy.”

Pushing the idea that biological males can become females and vice-versa while posturing as champions of science is a bit contradictory. It elevates an ideology that denies facts and science in favor of feelings.

Commissioned photographer and blogger sues for
right to create & speak

MADISON, WI – Earlier this week, Wisconsin Family Action partner Alliance Defending Freedom filed a law suit in Dane County Circuit Court on behalf of Amy Lynn Photography Studio. The Studio and its owner, Madison resident Amy Lawson are suing the City of Madison and the State of Wisconsin because a city ordinance and a state law prevent her from creating and speaking in accordance with her beliefs. Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling issued the following statement:

“We have long known that Madison’s public accommodations ordinance is draconian—overreaching and free-speech chilling—and that the state public accommodations law is one of the broadest in the country. This pre-enforcement challenge to both Madison’s ordinance and the state law are timely, not just for Amy Lawson and her Amy Lynn Photography Studio, but for many others who are engaged in creative vocations where these laws essentially shut down their free speech.

“Our Wisconsin constitution and our US constitution clearly provide for free speech and freedom of conscience, and neither one turns on the viewpoint espoused. Just because Amy’s viewpoint as expressed in her creative, commissioned photography and her related blog does not agree with what others may think on issues such as marriage and abortion, does not mean Amy or her business lack the right to free speech. Laws that restrict such freedom are unduly burdensome and as in this case can even mean loss of livelihood.”’

Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature are circulating a bill to legalize medical marijuana.

The proposal by state Sen. Jon Erpenbach and Rep. Chris Taylor comes after Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he would be open to the idea. Republicans have typically been against any attempts to legalize marijuana.

WFA president Julaine Appling says, “I’m not sure why Republican Speaker Robin Vos is open to the idea. Most Republicans oppose this idea and the slippery slope it creates. While some claim this is an important medical treatment, many others point out the legal issues for doctors, remind us of the addictive nature of marijuana and point out other treatments exist that don’t involve this addictive narcotic.”

Wisconsin Family Action president Julaine Appling was a guest panelist Wednesday evening, January 11, participating in “A Nation Engaged,” a live pre-inauguration community conversation, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The forum was put on by National Public Radio (NPR) and Wisconsin Public Radio. Similar panels were also held in Sacramento, Houston and Raleigh-Durham this same evening.

During the forum, community leaders were invited to speak to the questions: What are your hopes for the Trump Administration? What should the country know about your community? The moderator also took questions and comments from the audience during the one-hour panel.

The program aired nationwide on NPR on Monday, January 16. Click HERE to listen.

“Another offering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this one on masculinity, is drawing fire from conservatives as an example of ideological excesses at the school.

The target is the Men’s Project, a six-week voluntary discussion program that “aims to explore masculinity and the problems accompanied by simplified definitions of it,” according to a UW Health Service news release.”

WFA president Julaine Appling says, “This situation reminds us there are many eager to tell your son what masculinity is. How much better coming from a loving father who purposefully in both word and example instructs his son on what it means to be a man. And Dads have the best instruction manual available–the Word of God. Be assured, our Creator isn’t silent or confused about masculinity.”

From the Beloit Daily News: “Parties involved with the Ho-Chunk Nation’s Beloit casino project are testing the waters to see if there’s support to move the plan ahead at the federal level after President-elect Donald Trump takes office January 20.…The move follows the tribe’s request to Beloit city staff asking for local state legislators to reaffirm support for the project and to help line up Wisconsin’s congressional delegation behind the plan. If approved at the federal level, the plan would head for Gov. Scott Walker’s desk for approval or denial.”

WFA president Julaine Appling says, “This would be the first off-reservation casino in WI—opening a huge door for many more. The Ho-Chunk are proposing a 145,000 square foot gaming facility, with a 300-room hotel and 35,000 square foot convention center right off I-90/39 in Beloit.”

She adds, “Wisconsin does not need another casino—anywhere. We already have over 20. Right now no one in Wisconsin is more than a 2-hour drive from a casino. Gambling is not an innocent, victimless activity. Studies show the nearer people live to a casino the more likely they are to become problem gamblers—which destroys individuals, families and communities. That makes it bad for Wisconsin.”

A Choose Life Wisconsin license plate is becoming a reality. The red, white and black plate features an ink print of a baby’s foot and the words Choose Life. The effort began years ago as a cooperative project of Wisconsin Family Action and Pro-Life Wisconsin. $25 from the sale of each plate will go to Choose Life Wisconsin, an independent not-for-profit corporation. Choose Life Wisconsin will then distribute those funds to various Wisconsin Pregnancy Resource Centers. Over $23 million has been raised nationally from the sale of Choose Life plates in various states.

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin Family Action President Julaine K. Appling today issued the following statement in response to the recently released final report of the Future of the Family Commission:

“Wisconsin Family Action commends Governor Walker, Secretary Anderson, and the members of the Future of the Family Commission for recognizing that successful families are the foundation of thriving communities and a prosperous Wisconsin. Having read the Commission’s final report, we can say that while we have a different perspective on certain points, there are particular areas on which we agree–namely, the importance of encouraging and strengthening married families and addressing the impact of social isolation.

“As noted in the Wisconsin Family Prosperity Index (FPI) report we co-authored with the American Conservative Union Foundation in June, Wisconsin’s marriage rate ranks 44th in the nation. Given all the research illustrating the strong connection between marriage and economic prosperity, it just makes sense for Wisconsin’s leaders to prioritize and encourage marriage. This has been a focus of Wisconsin Family Action’s executive budget and legislative work over the years, and I’m glad to see the Commission reinforce it.

Today, Wisconsin Family Action and Wisconsin Family Council kicked off the Christmas season by putting a traditional nativity display and a Merry Christmas sign in the State Capitol. This year marks the 20th year Wisconsin Family Council has had a sign in the capitol and the fifth year of the nativity display. The Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation has also had its Winter Solstice sign up for all 20 years (photo, right) and has added a blasphemous nativity display in recent years. The displays join the State Christmas tree in the rotunda and will be up all month.

“We are honored to exercise our freedom of speech and religion with these displays each year, ” says WFA president Julaine Appling, “The thousands who come to the capitol this month will see our sign and our beautiful nativity declaring the Truth that Jesus Christ really is the reason for the season. Unlike Freedom From Religion’s dark and hopeless message, our display brings light and offers hope.”

We had help with setting up from Erica and Gennavive Meisel of Baraboo.

“Our message to pious politicians is: Get off your knees and get to work. The answers will not come from above. Nothing fails like prayer.” -Annie Lord Gaylor, Freedom From Religion Foundation

“A Republican legislator has been holding weekly Bible study sessions for lawmakers in his state Capitol office for the past three years, raising questions again about where the line between church and state lies in the building.

Administrative rules require state employees to use state buildings only for official work. Critics say the meetings are inappropriate, even though praying before legislative session days and religious displays in the Capitol rotunda have been upheld as legal.”

WFA president Julaine Appling responds, “Freedom From Religion Foundation is once again doing what it does best—being the neighborhood bully. We have nothing but the highest praise and regard for Representative Tittl and the Bible Study. He’s totally within his legal rights to do this, as are those who attend. Frankly, I can’t think of anything better for our state legislature than prayer & Bible study!”